Manchester United bid for Shaw

Manchester United have made a substantial offer to Southampton for their 18-year-old full-back Luke Shaw and are awaiting a response from the south coast club, a source has told ESPN.

Manchester United are believed to have made a substantial offer for Luke Shaw.

A report in the Daily Mirror suggests United have made a 22.5 million bid for Shaw, with ESPN's source confirming that the Red Devils have made a bid that will test the will of new Saints interim chief operating officer Gareth Rogers.

Southampton owner Katharina Liebherr has gone on record to insist she will not sell any of the club’s star assets in this transfer window after assuming control of the club following the departure of executive chairman Nicola Cortese earlier this month.

That view has been echoed by Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino, but it does not appear to have deterred United from making an offer for one of the most highly rated defenders in the Premier League.

Chelsea have also been heavily linked with a move for Shaw over the past year, with the Blues believed to have made enquiries about his availability prior to the start of this season.

Saints officials staved off that approach as they vowed to hang onto the latest shining star to emerge from a celebrated academy set-up that has produced the likes of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in recent years.

However, a big money bid from United will test Southampton's resolve, as the Premier League champions look to build on the momentum created by their club record signing of Spain midfielder Juan Mata from Chelsea.